UK National Data Library: Technical White Paper Challenge
Wellcome and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) are seeking technical visions and architectures for a UK National Data Library to make public sector datasets more accessible to researchers and enable future science to thrive.
About the Technical White Paper Challenge
The UK public sector holds a wealth of data across different public bodies, government departments and institutions.
The last few years have seen good examples of progress, but there remain major barriers to using this data effectively, including difficulties in accessing and navigating complex data infrastructures. With the right safeguards in place, improving access to health data could have huge potential for research and science.
There is political will to deliver a National Data Library (NDL) to address these issues. Wellcome and ESRC consider it in everyone’s interests that this data be made accessible to researchers, and appropriate organisations, working for the public good. It will be vital that the data is held and managed securely, with due consideration to maintaining the social contract with the public about how this data is used.
The Technical White Paper Challenge invites experts to submit technical visions, architectures and design ideas that could be adopted by a future NDL, for the benefit of the research community and the UK population.
"A successful National Data Library program will be a tremendous asset for the UK and global research communities. Progress in life science and health is not only driven by insights from clinical or research data. Responsibly using data from across government and all public sectors will help us all understand how to build a healthier future for everyone."
Eligibility
What we offer
"There is a wealth of data across government and various programs already giving us insights into society and the economy. But we can do more, and we can do it better. We would enthusiastically welcome a National Data Library that builds on existing investments and boosts responsible use of data for the public good."
Stian Westlake
Executive Chair
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
White paper guidelines
White papers should be:
- PDF document
- Not more than 6,000 words
- Accessible. Guidance for making documents accessible can be found below.
White papers should be succinct, while providing more technical detail than the existing policy-level proposals so far. Elements should include:
- Addressing the complete NDL architecture, or providing key enabling elements
- A focus on technical and operational architecture
- Including key nationally funded data repositories relevant to science and health research in the UK.
Proposals do not need to be costed, but should consider public-sector funding constraints.
Documents, such as PDFs, must:
- be tagged
- have a logical reading order assigned
- be bookmarked,
- include suitable alt-text for any images,
- have the default language set and
- meet colour contrast standards.
A thorough review for accessibility of the document must take place before delivery to Wellcome. This review must be done in accordance with best industry practice, which may include, but shall not be limited to, checks through keyboard-only manual testing and screen reader manual testing (for example Voiceover on Mac).
Submissions will be reviewed by an expert panel. Top entries determined by Wellcome and ESRC will be published and presented at a workshop at Wellcome’s London office.
At a minimum we would expect successful proposals to consider:
- The diversity of different types of data held within government and how they interoperate
- Individual privacy and an understanding of public attitudes to such initiatives
- The varied needs of researchers finding, accessing and using data through various methods
- The varied needs of data providers curating, managing and publishing data
- The high-level economics of running and maintaining an architecture for the NDL.
We also welcome analysis of current and past work in this space to learn from what has worked and what has not.
By submitting content for the White Paper Challenge, you agree to the following conditions:
1. Any content submitted will be licensed to Wellcome on a perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, sub-licensable, worldwide basis for any of the purposes set out above, which may include Wellcome’s own internal use, sharing with third parties (including Wellcome’s expert panel), and wider publication, and any other purpose that Wellcome determines from time to time.
2. In addition, you agree that Wellcome shall have the right to publish the content that you submit under a licence at least as permissive as a CC-BY licence.
3. There is no guarantee that Wellcome will use the content you submit. Where Wellcome does use your content in a published report, Wellcome intends to attribute your content to you.
4. No fee or expense payment will be due from Wellcome in relation to the White Paper Challenge.
5. Submission of content and / or its onward use by Wellcome is no guarantee of any future relationship between you, Wellcome and / or any third party, whether as a contract or grant award.
4. You agree to waive any confidentiality obligations arising out of or in connection with your content.
5. You agree to waive any claim against Wellcome arising out of or in connection with your content.
6. Your content does not infringe any third party’s intellectual property.
7. You agree that Wellcome will process personal data arising out of and in connection with this White Paper Challenge in accordance with Wellcome’s Privacy Policy (Wellcome Privacy Statement).
8. You have obtained all necessary rights, licences, approvals and consents for the submission of the content and its use in this White Paper Challenge in accordance with these terms.
Key dates
You must submit your white paper by 17:00 (BST) on the deadline day.
Open to submissions
- 6 December 2024
Submission deadline
- Week commencing 13 January 2025
Selected white papers published
- 28 January 2025
Workshop held at Wellcome’s London Office
Due to an overwhelmingly positive response to the challenge, we have extended the period in which Wellcome will review submissions. If your white paper is selected for publication, you will receive an invitation to attend the workshop on 28 January 2025.
How to submit a white paper
White paper submissions can be sent to:
If you have a question about eligibility or other aspects of the challenge, contact the Wellcome Data for Science and Health team organisers: